Black Ander @ Palaveri 19.03.09

Black Ander is a Damien Rice cover band. Palaveri is a very small bar with about five or six tables and an interior which reminds me of my grandmother's home. When you combine all of these elements, you get a really cozy evening. The members of Black Ander are cultural management students from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The lead singer Marko Nikula is also the lead singer of a band called Abysmalia and currently he is working on his solo album (which I can't wait to hear). Annika Mustonen has been a singer in some other groups (Funkin' Trouble) and smaller projects as well, but since this is about Damien Rice, she only supported Marko as a backup singer. Her voice is very strong and at some points it can literally send shivers down your spine. Usually I consider this a good thing, but as a backup I felt that she came on a bit too strong. It was still enjoyable though. The guitar player Pekko Mustonen (AllAround, Lost in Moments) played in a soft pace, which gave the atmosphere of the concert a mellow vibe. The concert was for free and Palaveri was filled with students, who all had a good time with a few beers, good friends and beautiful music. Black Ander is not a rock group, but this was a very special experience to me. A city can't rock out all the time, sometimes it has to rest and relax as well :)